Pollutant Information: PM2.5, PM1.0 and PM0.1 (Finer particulates)

About PM2.5, PM1.0 and PM0.1 (Finer particulates)

Category: Particulate Matter

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1.0 and 0.1 micrometres (µm) is referred to as PM1.0 and PM0.1 respectively.

Between 1990 and 2015, UK emissions of PM1.0 decreased by 57%. In 2015, residential stationary combustion accounted for 37% of PM1.0 emissions, of which 77% of emissions came from the combustion of wood.

Between 1990 and 2015, UK emissions of PM0.1 fell by 57%. In the past, road transport became an increasingly important sector as the particle size decreased, for example, in 1990, road transport accounted for 12% of PM10 emissions, but 32% of PM0.1 emissions. This trend is not as visible anymore due to tighter regulations on PM emissions from new vehicles. In 2015, road transport was the most important sector, accounting for 25% of PM0.1 emissions.